Free obituary templates for a veteran
You're here because you lost someone who served. Their military service was part of who they were, whether they talked about it constantly or never mentioned it at all. Writing a veteran's obituary means honoring that service while also capturing the full person. They weren't just their rank or their branch. They were someone who came home and built a life, and that life deserves to be told completely.
Let our AI write it for you
Our AI obituary generator asks you questions about your veteran and writes a personalized obituary based on your answers. It takes about 10 minutes and produces something that sounds like it was written by someone who knew them.
Fill-in-the-blank templates
Choose the template length that fits your needs. Each one includes bracketed placeholders you can fill in with your veteran's details.
Short obituary template for a veteran (~150 words)
Approximately 150 words
Use this for newspaper submissions with word limits, or when you want to keep things simple. Short doesn't mean less meaningful.
[FULL NAME], age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], died [peacefully/unexpectedly/after a long illness] on [DATE OF DEATH]. They were born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [devoted/loving/caring] veteran to [NAMES] and a [OTHER ROLE] to [NAMES]. They spent [NUMBER] years working as a [OCCUPATION] and were known for [ONE OR TWO DEFINING QUALITIES OR HOBBIES]. [They were a member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION].] They are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life/A memorial service] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [CHARITY/CAUSE].]
Standard obituary template for a veteran (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
This works for most situations. Enough room to capture who they were without overwhelming the reader.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully/surrounded by their loving family/after a courageous battle with [ILLNESS]] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [birth order] child of [PARENTS' NAMES]. They grew up in [HOMETOWN/AREA] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR]. [They went on to earn [their] [DEGREE] from [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY].] [FIRST NAME] [married [SPOUSE'S NAME] on [WEDDING DATE] [at LOCATION]. Together they [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LIFE TOGETHER, e.g., "built a home in [CITY]," "raised [NUMBER] children," "traveled to 30 countries"].] [They worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years at [EMPLOYER/FIELD], where they [BRIEF ACCOMPLISHMENT OR REPUTATION].] Outside of work, [FIRST NAME] was known for [HOBBIES, INTERESTS, OR TALENTS]. [SPECIFIC DETAIL that shows personality]. What people remember most about [FIRST NAME] is [DEFINING PERSONALITY TRAIT OR HABIT]. [ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR ANECDOTE THAT ILLUSTRATES THIS]. [FIRST NAME] are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [CHARITY] in their memory.]
Military-focused obituary template for a veteran (~350 words)
Approximately 350 words
A template that gives proper weight to military service while also capturing life beyond the uniform.
[FULL NAME], [RANK] [BRANCH OF SERVICE] ([Ret./Retired/Honorably Discharged]), age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully/surrounded by family] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [birth order] child of [PARENTS' NAMES]. They [enlisted in/was commissioned into] the [BRANCH] in [YEAR] and served [NUMBER] years, including [DEPLOYMENTS/STATIONS/WARS]. They achieved the rank of [HIGHEST RANK] and was awarded [MEDALS/COMMENDATIONS, e.g., "the Bronze Star," "the Purple Heart," "the Army Commendation Medal"]. [FIRST NAME]'s service shaped who they were, but it didn't define them entirely. After [their] military career, they [POST-MILITARY LIFE, e.g., "worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years," "returned to school and earned a [DEGREE]," "built a business from scratch"]. They [married [SPOUSE] on [DATE]/raised a family in [CITY]/remained active in veterans' organizations]. They were a member of [VFW/AMERICAN LEGION/VETERANS ORGANIZATION] [Post/Chapter] [NUMBER]. [ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT]. Outside of service and work, [FIRST NAME] was known for [HOBBIES AND PERSONALITY]. [SPECIFIC DETAIL, e.g., "He could fix anything with duct tape and determination" or "She never missed a grandchild's game, rain or shine"]. [FIRST NAME] are survived by [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. A [funeral service with military honors/memorial service] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [Military honors will be rendered by [HONOR GUARD/UNIT].] [In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [VETERANS CHARITY/ORGANIZATION] in their memory.]
Religious obituary template for a veteran (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
For families where faith was central to their life. Adjust the religious language to match their tradition.
[FULL NAME], beloved veteran, [OTHER ROLES], and faithful servant of God, went home to be with the Lord on [DATE OF DEATH] at the age of [AGE]. [They died peacefully, surrounded by their family, after [CIRCUMSTANCES].] [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. They were raised in the [FAITH TRADITION] and their faith remained the cornerstone of their life. They were a lifelong member of [CHURCH/PARISH NAME], where they [SERVED AS/PARTICIPATED IN, e.g., "sang in the choir," "taught Sunday school," "served on the church council"]. [MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DETAILS]. [FIRST NAME] believed that their greatest calling was [CALLING, e.g., "serving others," "raising a family," "building community"], and they approached it with the same faith that guided everything they did. [CAREER AND INTERESTS]. [SPECIFIC FAITH-RELATED DETAIL, e.g., "His Bible was so worn the binding had been replaced twice" or "He started every morning with prayer and coffee on the back porch"]. [SCRIPTURE VERSE] [FIRST NAME] are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST] and are now reunited with them in eternal peace. A [funeral Mass/memorial service/homegoing celebration] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [CHURCH/LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [CHURCH OR FAITH-BASED CHARITY].]
Sample obituaries for a veteran
Real-style examples showing different tones and approaches. Read the commentary below each one to understand what makes it effective.
Master Sergeant Frank Joseph Nowak, USMC (Ret.)
What makes this work
Not talking about Vietnam unless someone else served there is a detail that resonates with many military families. Balancing the formal military record with the bratwurst grilling and Browns loyalty shows the whole person. The Purple Heart with gold star notation adds authenticity.
Colonel Sandra Jean Mitchell, USA (Ret.)
What makes this work
Being part of West Point's first class of women is historical context that gives her career additional weight. The mentoring detail with the candid quote about gender bias adds authenticity. The fourteeners count shows life outside the uniform.
How to write an obituary for your veteran
- 1
Gather the essential facts
Before you write anything, collect the basics. Full name, date of birth, birthplace, date of death, and place of death. If you're unsure about any details, ask another family member or check documents. Getting the facts right matters, and it's easier to gather them before you start writing than to stop midway through.
- 2
List family and survivors
Write down everyone who should be mentioned. Surviving family members, those who preceded them in death, and close relationships that mattered. Get names and spellings right. If you're unsure about married names or the order of children, ask. This section is where mistakes get noticed.
- 3
Write about what they did
Career, education, volunteer work, military service. Don't just list titles. What did they actually do day to day? "They managed the produce department at Kroger for 22 years" tells a story. "They worked in retail" doesn't. Specifics make the difference.
- 4
Write about who they were
This is the hardest part, and the most important. What made them different from anyone else? Not "loving" or "kind" because those describe everyone. Think about the specific things. What did they do every morning? What was their thing that nobody else understood? What would a stranger notice about them in the first five minutes?
- 5
Include a specific memory or detail
One concrete detail does more work than ten adjectives. A hobby they was obsessive about. A phrase they said so often it became a family joke. The way they always did one particular thing. These details are what make people nod and say, "Yes, that's exactly right."
- 6
Choose the right tone
Think about who this person was. Would they want something formal and traditional? Something lighter that reflects their personality? There's no single right answer. Match the obituary to the person, not to some idea of what an obituary should sound like.
- 7
Read it aloud and revise
Write your draft, then walk away for a few minutes. Come back and read it out loud. You'll hear what's missing and what feels off. Does it sound like them? Would they recognize themself in these words? If not, adjust. If something feels forced, remove it. Your instinct is worth trusting here.
What to include in your veteran's obituary
Essential information
- ✓Full legal name
- ✓Date of birth and birthplace
- ✓Date of death and place of death
- ✓Survivors list
- ✓Predeceased family members
- ✓Service or memorial details
Life story details
- ✓Branch of service and rank
- ✓Years of service and stations
- ✓Medals, commendations, or honors
- ✓Career after military service
- ✓Education and training
- ✓Community involvement
Personal touches
- ✓Hobbies and interests
- ✓Personality traits (specific, not generic)
- ✓A memorable habit or phrase
- ✓Favorite places or activities
- ✓Role in the family or community
Optional additions
- ✓A favorite quote or scripture
- ✓Charitable donation preferences
- ✓A brief anecdote that captures who they were
- ✓Cause of death (family's decision)
Quotes for a veteran's obituary
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.”
“The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
“In valor there is hope.”
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
Frequently asked questions
How long should my veteran's obituary be?
There's no rule. A newspaper obituary might run 150 to 200 words because papers charge by the line. An online obituary or funeral program can be as long as you need. Most obituaries fall between 200 and 500 words. Length doesn't equal love. A three-sentence obituary written with care means more than a page of generic praise.
Who should write my veteran's obituary?
Whoever feels most able to right now. In many families, one person takes the lead because the others are too overwhelmed. There's no tradition that dictates who should do it. What often works well is having one person write the first draft and then sharing it with close family for additions and corrections. If nobody feels up to it, an AI obituary generator can provide a solid draft that the family can review and personalize together.
Should I mention how my veteran died?
This is entirely your family's decision. Some families include the cause of death because it was part of their story. Others prefer privacy and simply say "passed away peacefully" or "died at home surrounded by family." If your veteran were open about their illness during their life, mentioning it usually feels right. If they were private about it, respecting that makes sense.
Where do I find my veteran's service records?
Start with the DD-214, the discharge document that lists branch, rank, dates of service, and awards. Check with the family first because many veterans keep these papers. If the paperwork is missing, you can request records from the National Archives (National Personnel Records Center). For recent veterans, the VA may also have records. The local VFW or American Legion post may know details too.
Should the obituary focus on military service or civilian life?
Both. A veteran's obituary should honor their service without reducing them to it. Give the military details their proper place, then write about who they were after the uniform came off. Many veterans consider their service foundational but spent decades building families, careers, and communities afterward. All of that matters.
Related templates
Related to Veteran
Writing more than the obituary? See Eulogy for a veteran, Veteran obituary examples, and Newspaper submission guide.